kept postponing

USAGE SUMMARY

"kept postponing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used when referring to someone who has been constantly delaying or avoiding doing something. For example, "John kept postponing his final exam, but eventually he had to face it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

We had a very important dress rehearsal that same day, and we kept postponing it.

The New York Times

But they kept postponing the trip, so I never told them.

The New York Times

But as the months went by I kept postponing a reunion with my wife.

The New Yorker

I was going to write the lost chapter two years ago but kept postponing over aesthetic preciousness.

The New Yorker

"I think they were so lazy and so unprepared and they kept postponing looking into this until it became chronic".

The Guardian

We kept postponing and finally canceled an excursion to Deruta, the hub of Umbria's world-famous ceramics.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But they keep postponing.

The Guardian

Will they keep postponing it till people forget?

The New York Times

But my mother keeps postponing her retirement date.

The New York Times

They suspect that Mr. Musharraf will keep postponing the voting indefinitely.

The New York Times

"If you keep postponing, hoping it will fix itself, the price of preserving it gets more expensive," Mr. Emanuel said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept postponing" to clearly communicate a recurring delay or avoidance of a task or event. For emphasis, consider adding adverbs like 'persistently' or 'continually'.

Common error

Avoid using "kept postponing" when referring to a single instance of delay. Instead, use "postponed" or "delayed" for a one-time occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept postponing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically describing a repeated action in the past. It indicates the continuous act of delaying something. Ludwig confirms that it's correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept postponing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a recurring action of delaying something, Ludwig AI confirms. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively communicates repeated deferments. Related phrases include "continually delayed" and "persistently deferred", offering subtle variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with a repeated action and avoid using it for single-instance delays. Overall, it’s a reliable way to express the concept of habitual delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continually delayed

Focuses on the repeated action of delaying.

persistently deferred

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of deferring.

repeatedly put off

Highlights the act of delaying something multiple times.

incessantly procrastinated

Specifically indicates procrastination as the cause of the delays.

consistently rescheduled

Indicates that the postponing involves changing the schedule.

habitually delayed

Suggests a pattern or habit of delaying.

chronically deferred

Implies a long-standing and persistent habit of deferring.

always put off

Highlights the frequency of delaying actions.

routinely delayed

Indicates that the delay is a normal or expected occurrence.

steadily deferred

Suggests a consistent and ongoing pattern of deferral.

FAQs

How can I use "kept postponing" in a sentence?

You can use "kept postponing" to describe the act of repeatedly delaying something. For example, "She "kept postponing" the meeting until everyone was available".

What are some alternatives to "kept postponing"?

Alternatives include "continually delayed", "repeatedly put off", or "persistently deferred". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "keeps postponing" instead of "kept postponing"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Keeps postponing" describes a present, ongoing action, while "kept postponing" refers to a past, repeated action.

What is the difference between "kept postponing" and "kept delaying"?

"Kept postponing" and "kept delaying" are very similar in meaning, both indicating a repeated action of deferring something. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.